Mobile fire extinguisher



June 6, 1950 s. BOAL MOBILE FIRE EXTINGUISHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 13, 1946 INVENTOR.

June 6, 1950 s. BOAL MOBILE FIRE EXTINGUISHER 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 15, 1946 INVE TOR. 8%- M Patented June 6, 1950 MOBILE FIRE EXTINGUISHER Stewart Boal, Winnetka, IlL, assignor to Bandolph Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application September 13, 1946, Serial No. 696,834

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to fire extinguishers and especially to a novel mobile or portable fire extinguisher assembly of the carbon dioxide type.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel fire extinguisher assembly that may be readily and easily transported from a place of storage to a fire and thereat may be easily and quickly operated for effectively smothering the flames before they can spread.

A further object is the provision of a novel mobile fire-fighting unit having a wheeled carriage so constructed and arranged that the entire unit may be quickly moved to a desired position with respect to the fire and thereat instantly made available for directing and discharging a full charge of carbon dioxide upon the flames.

The present invention further comprehends a most convenient, positive and effective fire extinguisher that may be employed in instantly dischargin a smothering, heavy blanket of carbon dioxide providing a most effective defense against relatively severe, large area fires.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a novel palm-actuated trigger release and valve assembly for a fire extinguisher.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and'capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change and comprehends other details, arrangement of parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of the novel mobile or portable fire extinguisher,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper end of the extinguisher-and showing more clearly the palm-actuated trigger and the manner of operation.

Fig. 3 is a view of the parts shown in Fig. 2 but with the hood and palm trigger broken away or in cross-section to more clearly show the valve actuating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the upper end of Fig. 3 but showing the pahn-actuated trigger 2 depressed to discharge and deliver the carbon dioxide gas and snow.

Fig. 5 is a view in vertical cross-section taken on the irregular line '55 of Fig. 3. 1

Fig. 6 is a view in vertical cross-section of the valve construction taken in a plane represented by the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring more particularly to the embodiment shown in the drawings and selected to illustrate the novel invention, the present mobile or portable fire extinguisher comprises a tank or cylinder I containing carbon dioxide or the like and provided with a valve assembly 2 detachably connected to the upper end of the tank or cylinder and adapted to be actuated by depressing a trigger rod 3 which opens the valve and permits discharge of the carbon dioxide under pressure through an outlet nipple 4, connecting hose 5 and horn assembly 5. The trigger rod 3 is preferably provided with an enlargement or rounded screw head 1 biased or spring-pressed into normally raised position by means of an encompassing coil spring 8 seating against the under surface of a palm-actuated trigger 9 and the upper surface of a tubular support H! for a carriage H.

The trigger 9 is pivotally mounted at l2 upon the tubular support II] which in the disclosed embodiment is shown as substantially inverted U-shaped having downwardly projecting legs I3, l3 adapted to engage the fioor or other support when the device is not being transported, and the upper connecting part 14 providing a handle by which the extinguishing unit may be transported to a place of storage or for fighting a fire. The tank or cylinder I is supported or carried by the mobile carriage H by means of a pair of spaced straps or bands encompassing the tank or cylinder I, the upper one Is being shown in Fig. 1 secured to the legs l3 while the lower one (not shown) carries the wheeled support l6 having an axle I1 and a pair of wheels ill for quickly transporting the fire extinguisher, when necessary and to wherever desired.

The trigger rod 3 at its lower end engages a discharge pin I9 guided in its longitudinal path by means of an annular collar 20 formed or provided in a valve insert 2| threaded into the upper end of the valve body 22, and sealed by means of a packing 23. The lower end of the discharge pin seats against the head 24 of a screw or the like retaining a resilient or rubber-like sealing ring or gasket 25 carried in or upon the upper end of a plunger 26. The reduced end 21 of the plunger is carried by the upper end of a coil spring 28 with that end of the spring seating against the plunger and the lower end seatin against the end of a threaded nut 29 threaded into the lower end of the valve body and in turn receiving the upper end of a length of siphon pipe or tubing 30 depending into the tank or cylinder I. The lower end of the valve body is threaded at 3| for attachment to 'the tank or cylinder and is sealed thereat.

The sealing ring or gasket 25 has sealing engagement with the valve seat 32 provided at the reduced lower end of the valve insert 21 to thereby seal and prevent the flow from the cylinder I to the space encompassing the dischargev pin l9 and leading to the discharge passage 33 in the valve outlet nipple 4 connected to the hose 5 and horn 6. A soft copper washer or other packing 34 may be provided between the end of the valve insert 2| and. the shoulder 35 formed in the valve body. A safety plug 36 is provided for normallyclosing a port '31 leading-to the inlet in the valve body.

*Mounted' upon the upper end of the tank or cylinder is a conical carriage 'hood 38 provided with'an elongatedopening'BB for ready access to certain desired or""required data appearing on the dome of the tank and'a smaller opening 40 through which'projects the outlet nipple 4 carrying-"at its 'outer end a diffusion tip 4 I.

"Toprevent the trigger or handlefl from being accidentally or unintentionallydepressed and thereby discharging a stream'of carbon dioxide, provision is made for locking this trigger against movement'until such time as the'necesslty arises. This comprises-a safety lock pin 42 and a seal wire projecting through an opening in a side wall or flange 43 on the trigger and into the upper end Not the tubular support H] on the carriage H.

The present novel mobile unit may be quickly rolled into position for fighting a'fire and all that is'required to make it'available for use is to remove the locking pin '42, disengage the horn 6 from its resilient clip 44 provided on the band or strap fiend direct or aim it with one hand toward or upon the fire. Then by depressing the trigger or-handle-actuated part 9-with the other hand,'an accurate full charge of carbon dioxide is directed upon the flames. By reason of this n'ovelconstruction, the operator can at all times remain a safe distance from the fire and he is assured'ofinstant discharge of a smothering and heavy blanketof carbon dioxide.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim:

1. A mobile fire extinguisher adapted to be rolled speedily .intoxpositi'on for fighting ,a, fire, comprising a wheeledcarriage having a support providing a handle 'atits upper end for transporting th'ez'carriaga'a containerJfor'carbon dioxide-and the likemountedon the support, a valve assembly mounted upon' the upper end of the container and provided with a spring-biased actuating rod projecting thereabove with its upper actuating end disposed above the handle, and a palm-actuated 'tr'igger'pivotally mounted on the handle and engaging the actuating end of the rod whereby'when the trigger is depressed the valve is openedand permits discharge of the carbon dioxid'e.

2. A'mobile fire extinguisher adapted to "be quickly moved into a position for extinguishing "operated trigger pivotally mounted on the handle wat the upper. end of the support and engaging the valve actuating member for most accessible operation and when the handle is pressed depresses the actuating member for opening the valve and discharging the contents of the container.

3. A mobile fire extinguisher adapted to be rolled speedily into position for fighting a fire, comprising a wheeled carriage having a sub- 'stantially inver-ted- U-shaped support with "the connecting portion providing a handle at its up per end for transporting the carriage, a container mounted on the support and adapted "to contain a fire extinguishing fluid, a valve assembly mounted upon the upper end of the container and provided with-a trigger rod projecting thereabove and through andguided by the handle, and a hand-operated trigger pivotally mounted on the handle at 'the upper end of the support and engaging the trigger rod whereby when the trigger is depressed the valve is opened and permits discharge of the'contents of the container.

4. A mobile fire extinguisher adapted to be quickly moved into -a position for extinguishing a fire, comprising a wheeled carriage provided with an inverted U-shape'd support with the ends providing supporting legs and the upper connecting portion providing a handle for transporting the extinguisher, a container carried by the support,a valve unit for the container and provided with an upstanding actuating rod for opening the valve when depressed, said rod having its upper end supported and guided by the handle, a spring-actuated closure for normally holding the valve in closed position, a hand-operatedtrigger pivotally mounted on the handle above the upper end of the actuating rod and when pressed downwardly depresses the actu 'ating member 'for opening the valve and discharging the contents of the container, and a conicalshaped hood providing a protective enclosure for the valve unit actuating rod and associated parts.

STEWART BOAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this "patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Z Name Date 640,118 Eek Dec. 26, 1899 862,869 Sargeaunt Aug. 6, 1907 1,271,269 :Sturcke Aug. "27, 1918 1,544,720 Brandt Julyfl, 1925 1,839,658 Dugas Jan. -5, 1932 2,050,032 Allen et al Augie, 1936 2,117,684 JShaaI May17, 1938 2,375,615 Boal May '8, 1945 2,397,235 Boal '-Mar. 26, .1946 2,418,468 Grant Apr. 8,1947 

